The family of a businessman who died suddenly have vowed to keep open the electrical shop their loved-one founded more than 50 years ago.

Grandfather-of-six Stan Meigh first welcomed customers to Meigh’s Radio and TV, in Lichfield Street, Hanley, in the 1960s.

Trade had been hit in recent years after the business faced being bulldozed as part of Realis Estates’ failed multi-million pound shopping centre scheme.

But Stan's relatives have pledged to 'continue his legacy' by keeping the shop going after the 80-year-old, of Cellarhead Road, Werrington, suffered a fatal heart attack in the early hours of Wednesday.

Stan Meigh in his Hanley shop

Retired nurse and midwife Marjorie Meigh, aged 82, who was married to Stan for 56 years, said: “Stan was an unbelievable man. He could do anything. He built his business from nothing - I think he started with about £50.

“My dad used to say Stanley could sell snow to eskimos - he was full of surprises. Stan loved working. We always used to say he would die in his shop because he absolutely loved doing what he did.”

Marjorie and Stan Meigh pictured on holiday (date unknown)

As well as running the successful business Stan was a property developer - with a portfolio of more than 30 properties - and a keen Port Vale fan-turned-director.

Stan and one-time Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt helped to front a campaign to save the club after it fell into administration in 2012.

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He enjoyed playing squash and tinkering with cars – after starting his working life as an apprentice mechanic. And at weekends he and his family would stay at a converted bungalow near Rhyl's seafront.

Eldest daughter Amanda Herring, aged 51, said: “Dad was very spontaneous. He would buy things and we would all wonder why, but he would do anything for anybody.

“When we were younger we would come home from school excited to watch our favourite programme, only to find that the television was gone. Dad would tell us it’s because one of his customers wanted it before coming back with a different one.”

Stan Meigh, aged 80, of Werrington, died suddenly earlier this month

Granddaughter Emily Massey, aged 24, from Bucknall, added: “He wasn’t our grandad - he was our ‘Standad’. He loved gardening and every year we would have a sunflower growing competition. Standad always used to know where to put his and won every year – he got to eight feet once.

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Fellow Lichfield Street traders have paid tribute to the man ‘with the gift of the gab.’

Stan Meigh at a Port Vale Supporters' Club meeting

Vicky Postles, who owns Faith Hair and Design, said: “I knew Stan from when I met him in the shop more than 13 years ago. He was a lovely man and always chatting to everybody. He always used to pop into the newsagents to get his paper and that’s where I would see him. He will definitely be missed.”

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Jan Billington, who co-owns The Cutting Quarter, added: “I knew Stan for quite a number of years and he was the most brilliant neighbour. He was a very good man, lovely and we will miss him a lot. You don’t get people like Stan nowadays.”